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Education Reform
Learners identify problems and potential improvements for U.S. public school education. They research and debate the pros and cons of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
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A Wolf by the Ear
Students examine Thomas Jefferson's complex and contradictory relationship with slavery.
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Civil War Battlefields
Eighth graders research a specific battle of the U.S. Civil War. Using the Internet and the Encarta Encyclopedia they conduct research, and create and publish a travel brochure that incorporates historical and visual information about...
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National Turkey Off to Disneyland
Students share their holiday traditions, then read about an American Thanksgiving custom. In this current events lesson, the teacher introduces the news article with a discussion and vocabulary activity, the students participate in a...
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Learning About Maps
Young scholars take a "field trip" with the teacher through the school then draw a diagram of what they saw. They bring the maps to the computer lab where they create electronic maps using the software program Neighborhood Map Machine.
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What Can I Afford?
Young scholars explore the costs of various cell phone plans, and various types of banking accounts to determine which one would yield the highest returns if the money saved from the cell phones were placed in different accounts.
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Stonehenge: Solving Ancient Mysteries
Students investigate the mystery of Stonehenge. In this Stonehenge lesson, students participate in a classroom activity that requires them to research information about Stonehenge as well as information regarding archeology and...
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Changing Perspectives on the Japanese Internment Experience
High schoolers explore the issue of Japanese-American internment. In this World War II lesson, students analyze historical biases regarding Japanese-American internment as they analyze literature, research print and Internet sources, and...
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Create a "Hero" Trophy
Students identify American heroes. In this research skills instructional activity, students discuss the characteristics of heroes and examine society's definition of heroes. Students research selected American heroes of the 20th century...
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Coal Mine Industrial Picture Analysis
Students observe coal mine pictures. In this US history lesson, students analyze the pictures realizing that history is shown in pictures and then write a newspaper article about life in a coal town using the pictures as...
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QUIZ SHOW! What were you thinking? What did you say?
Students participate in a game show to share the information they have uncovered about the US expansion policy and how it affected Native Americans.
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Using Text Features
Fourth graders read a nonfiction story that is presented to them with graphic features, and presented to them with only the text. In this text features lesson, 4th graders decide what the benefits of text organizers are and create...
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If I Could Have Lived in Another Time or Culture
Third graders develop multi-paragraph compositions. They include an introduction, first and second level support, and a conclusion. They use a variety of sentence structures (e.g., simple, compound/complex) and sentence types (i.e.,...
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Role Playing in North America: Mid 1600s-Mid 1700s
Eighth graders apply their knowledge of North American history from the mid 1600's through the mid 1700's to a role-playing scenario. In small groups they plan, write, and perform a dramatic skit of a group that was affected by events in...
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Being a Good Citizen
First graders discuss citizenship. In this being a good citizen lesson plan, 1st graders complete a worksheet identifying characteristics of a good citizen. Students draw a picture then use a flip camera to capture good classroom citizens.
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Create a City: An Urban Planning Exercise
Young scholars explore the effects of population growth in Arizona. In this history lesson, students work in small groups to create a "perfect" city. Activities include examining the Arizona census results then discussing the...
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Portrait Sculptures
Eighth graders study Marisol's art work by comparing ad contrasting several sculptures. They create a 3-D portrait of a person they either know personally, or to portray a social issue. The sculpture be made of a cardboard structure they...
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Altered Books
Students transform a discarded book into a creative art work of art that encompasses a theme and utilizes a variety of media and techniques.
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Romare Bearden-Style Collages
Students create collages in the style of African American artist Romare Bearden. They define the word collage, study African American artist Romare Bearden, view examples of collages by Romare Bearden, and create a collage following...
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Ellis Island: Gateway To America
Fifth graders study the immigration station on Ellis Island. Through several activities, they see that immigrants who arrived at Ellis Island came to America from different countries, mostly those in Europe, for a variety of reasons.
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Exploring the Self
Students examine a variety of songs, poems, and books exploring and analyzing the theme of self reliance and being true to one's self. They write a poem, essay, or letter that captures their true spirit and individuality and then they...
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Vowels Short And Long: Farmer Pete
Second graders study short and long vowel sounds. They hear each word or picture by clicking on it to hear each rhyme. There is also the option of letting some students type their own rhyming sentence in this program. They complete a...
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The Many Roles I Play in My Community
Second graders are asked: "What roles do people have in the community?" They view a large web on chart paper. Students discuss the roles that they play in their community. They are told that just as the principal or teacher has many...
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I Did It!
Second graders choose a "positive work habit name" and explain why they choose the selected name. They share self-assessment information about their work habits and progress from week to week. Students respond with, "I did it" anytime...